How to Take Good Care of Your Smile While Wearing Braces

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Our Family Smile Center LLC team is excited that you are straightening your teeth to create the smile you have always wanted. We also want to encourage you to stay on top of your oral hygiene during this alignment process.

Although we always stress the importance of consistent oral hygiene habits along with regular checkups and dental cleanings to maintain a healthy smile, it is especially vital while you are wearing braces in Frederick, Maryland.

If you are wearing braces with wires and brackets, this is the time to make extra sure you are removing food particles and plaque around the orthodontics thoroughly, as well as from teeth and gums. When working on your oral hygiene, it is a good idea to use the right tools to make the job easy and enjoyable.

So, let’s take a look at how best to accomplish this with some tips from Dr. Danny H. Dinh and our team.

Prep: If you are wearing elastics, you will want to take them off before you begin cleaning. After you finish cleaning your teeth, don’t forget to put them back on!

Tools: Soft-bristled toothbrushes are kind to your tooth enamel and your gums while not harming your orthodontics. Fluoride toothpaste supports your teeth to resist acids from food and drinks while strengthening tooth enamel. Many people have found that a powered toothbrush is very effective at cleaning teeth, especially with braces.

Brush: You will want to brush each tooth along with your braces. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle against your gums as you clean the gum line using circular strokes. Next, clean any gaps between the wire and your teeth as well as under the wires.

Floss: After brushing your pearly whites, remember to floss! Flossing with braces will help ensure a healthy smile when they come off. Interdental floss brushes and picks or even water flossers can effectively rid your smile of food residue and oral debris.

Foods: Last but not least, make sure the foods you eat and drink support the beautiful smile you are working so hard to create. It is wise to limit or avoid acidic foods and beverages, along with hard foods such as ice and sticky foods such as chewing gum that might harm brackets and wires.

Be sure to take care of your teeth and gums as you straighten your smile, and you will be rewarded with a confident, healthy smile! We hope you find these tips useful on your journey, and if you would like to know more, please give us a call at 301.663.9484. Dr. Danny H. Dinh and our team in Frederick, Maryland, look forward to supporting your oral health!